Al-'Āḍid

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Al-'Āḍid (b.1149 d.1171) was the fourteenth and last Caliph of the Fatimid dynasty (1160-1171)

He became Caliph as a minor following the death of his brother Al-Faiz (1154-1160). The rule of the Fatimids was so weak and divided by this time that the Crusaders were able to begin invasions of Egypt.

With the help of the Zengids, Shawar was able to establish himself as vizir (1163-1169), and with the help of Syrian troops under Sirkuh and Saladin was able to fight off the Crusader incursions. Through careful seesaw diplomacy between Crusaders and Zengids Shawar was able to maintain his grip on power.

Eventually, however, the Zengids overthrew Shawar in 1169 and installed Saladin as vizir of Egypt. When Al-Adid died of natural causes in 1171, the Fatimid dynasty ended to make way for the Ayyubids (1171-1260).

Preceded by Al-Fā'iz

Fatimid Caliph 1160–1171

Succeeded by Saladin Ayyubid Sultan of Egypt